Iron Maiden - The Book of Souls ALBUM REVIEW
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
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Iron Maiden's lengthy 90-minute epic doesn't bring the compositional or sonic ambition fans might assume due to the large run-time.
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FAV TRACKS: SPEED OF LIGHT, THE GREAT UNKNOWN, WHEN THE RIVER RUNS DEEP
LEAST FAV TRACK: THE RED AND THE BLACK
IRON MAIDEN - THE BOOK OF SOULS / 2015 / BMG RECORDED MUSIC / HEAVY METAL
6/10
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?
I'm Bruce's defense, he did record this album while battling tongue cancer.
It must be fun to be Bruce's personal defence. How long have you had the job for?
@@matthewcorcoran4718 wait are you serious? Youre gonna talk shit about a dude battling mouth cancer??? Fuck you! I hate iron maidens music but wtf man thats fucked!
Dude Man What are you talking about? Lol
Spam singles
Use your eyes, dipshit.
Dude Man He was making fun of his typo bruh. He said “I’m maidens defense” instead of “in maidens defense”
no no no... not 6/10
it's 666/10 come on man
LEAST FAV TRACK: THE RED AND THE BLACK....really??????????????????????????????????????
+C Duron Yeah Fantano is totally drunk on this one! XD Red and the Black is one of Maiden's best tracks to date IMO.
+necroplastful or you know.. He has different tastes
+necroplastful That Brony pic brings so much metal cred though
Best song of the album and one of their best ever!
And isnt the intro of the red and the black a bass?
Why is my favorite song always your least favorite?
+Giruga x Hakusho same :/
+Giruga x Hakusho Because you play with yourself at night
+Adult Man Are you from a Ray William Johnson video comment section circa 2011?
+teeheesamson FAKE AND GAYYYY AHAHA LMAOOOOOOOO
+Giruga x Hakusho Because he's not a typical metalhead. His tastes are very hipsterish to the point I can't agree on his reviews but he has something else going for.
The intro of Red & Black is the bass. That's why it sounds thick. It's supposed to.
5:28 "He sounds more like he's in pain than he is singing"
You're absolutely right. He was in pain.
Why record this then??
He had cancer and likely wasn't expecting to record another Maiden album. A sort of last hurrah@@joaquin5929
Production is so good. It sounds huge without relying on MONSTER LAYERS. Like a band actually playing in a room.
Production is the worst muddy sounding only 2 good songs on this album it's a book of snooze . Please be heavy again maiden .
They actually did. They recorded it 'live' like they did on AMOLAD and BNW.
The production sounds like the feeling I get when my entire toenail falls off. They need Andy Sneap bad.
wtf is wrong with iron maiden fans?! no, this sounds horrible and layers are a good thing. you know which band utilized layers really well and sounded pretty amazing? Iron maiden themselves back in the 80s
Theee fuuck? IMO speed of light was one of the weaker tracks, but it's still a good song. Tears of a clown, the red and the black, Empire of the clouds and When the river runs deep are my favs. The guitar riffs are tasty as fuck, and the double guitar leads aren't cliche, that's what I expect going into a Maiden record. The synth aren't that bothersome for me, you get used to them when you have to work with them in the music program. And the intro to the red and the black is a Nylon guitar with a bass. You say they didn't do anything new but Empire of the Clouds sounds like nothing they've ever did.
Yeah I'm butthurt, but only because your opinions about this album are shit
9/10
*critisms of this album not opinions in general
+courgeonaute Empire is incredible and some synths will not ruin that
+courgeonaute The intro to the red and the black is an acoustic bass, not a nylon guitar...
Philip Flood yeah i know... don't mind my autism, i realized that while listening to it on the bus the day after
I honestly really liked this album.
I'm not even an Iron Maiden fan myself, I'm just always happy to see Anthony acknowledge the new work from the old guard from time to time. Covering new stuff is great, but I hate to see 30+ year old bands lose attention.
For real
+casersatz Maybe it's best they _do_ lose attention when they've been spinning the same plate for two decades.
Gitfacehal "I have no idea what you're talking about..."
+casersatz Yeah, he fully ignored WIRE's new album from a few months ago, even though he covered their Pink Flag for classics. I'm absolutely sure WIRE's album is much much better than fucking Maiden.
cactaceous While we're yelling at clouds, we'd be remiss to forget that the new Gang of Four was stepped over, too. The new Fall, Go4 and Wire didn't even get Y U NOs.
I'm not upset. He's just one guy, after all. Can't review everything. But you're right, given his love for Wire, you'd think that one would have gotten a mention for sure.
Did you listen to the same album I did fella?
+Iain Marchant I think he probably listened up to the middle of the third track then his ego decided he didn't like it.
+goldsaj right?! honestly, the night it came out, I only went up to The Great Unknown and was pretty satisfied. But that morning, I got a taste of The Red and The Black with The Book Of Souls along with Shadows of the Valley and I was completely blown away! I'll admit, I'm not very very fond of When The River Runs. But every other track I love! This album fucking rocks!
goldsaj lmao you understand that a 6 is a positive review, right ¿
@@goldsaj 6 id positive dumbass
Yes, he did, and he wasn't harsh enough. I love iron maiden so much, but this album was trash. Boring instrumentals, terrible vocal performances from bruce, and cliche songwriting all throughout. They should have stopped while they were still good.
Runtootheny Hillstano.
It's hard for me to get mad at him considering how much music he listens to. Coming from an Iron Maiden fan I must say that this album is probably their best since Brave New World or maybe even Seventh Son.
I agree
+Garrett Yeah, I actually think it's better than Brave New World. Gasp
+Garrett Agreed. Best since 7th Son for me. I usually find that there's a lull on Maiden albums (except 7th Son, which is perfect), but The Book of Souls is very consistent. 9/10 from me.
If eternity should fail must be the best opener since moonchild, (yes I think the song is better than the wicker man)
+Tim Richards I completely disagree but that's just my opinion... o_O
did you say "infamous" band? wtf, you meant LEGENDARY. are you aware that the word "infamous" is derrogatory?
Not so nerd as he says...
On the red and black the intro is played on the bass not on the guitar or baritone guitar.
I really wanted him to review this. Now I wish he didn't.
Why?
+PJ Once someone doesn't agree with someone else's opinion; the one who is being disagreed with always gets butt-hurt.
MesmerGW2 there's that word again. Why are folks such as yourself so intrigued by pain in the buttocks region? Bad prison experience?
MesmerGW2 That's what I thought, but I wished it was a bit more... complex
speed OF light
the book OF souls
shadows OF the valley
tears OF a clown
the man OF sorrows
empire OF the clouds
...too OFvious?
I disagree with a whole heart, but that's okay because of opinions! I am honestly in love with this album!
I disagree with this guy too! He's not a fan!! If he was a fan he would know that's Harris on bass on the intro to the red and the black
For me this is their best album since Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.
Makes sense, I hate this album and that album.
@@eminemfan50098 It doesn't make sense because someone else likes it.
@@eminemfan50098 who asked
Cope
Since a matter of life and death, actually my man.
I'm face palming so hard at all these people saying "Hey Anthony! You should review a -----------" I'm sorry you guys are not special and will never be xxkevinatorxxxx
+Ken V And then there are people who like to boast their superiority
Hey Anthony! You should review that whiny cynical comment of that whiny cynical bitch I'm replying to!
+Wulbulbul Lubbubwublub I'm sorry if i burst your bubble.
+President Jeb Bush Well he does ask at the end of every video "What do you think I should review next?" and since there is a comment section, people will undoubtedly give suggestions, as they have done for quite a few years now on his video. If he asks, they will suggest review ideas. It's not that hard to get your head around.
So you're complaining about suggestions? Pathetic
Did you really listen to this album?! "The red and the black" is one of the greatest songs on this album and true heavy metal song. You gave only 6?! This is the best album since "Brave New World"!!!
*****
Watch coverkillernation review of this album! It's called an honest review! This bald guy becomes a douchebag! I won't watch his reviews any more!
+Last Ninja That's true, but I'm a huge Maiden fan and even I had to listen to it three times to really appreciate it. Hell, I've listened to it at least twenty times by now and it's still growing on me. I find new things every time.
I totally agree. Red and the black is really one of the greatest heavy metal songs I've listened.
I respect your opinion, but you stand alone on this one fantano.
I don't think he really gets what maiden is about. As a long time fan I don't care if they don't want to do anything really new, I'm glad they went back and added some of their trademark sounds from the 80s to this epic new album. I hope they go as long as the Rolling Stones but fuck it if they want to recycle shit in glad and will still buy anything they put it because I know it will still be better than other shit coming out.
+Smokey ZX thankyou sir for a civil comment, atleast someone on youtube can disagree without being a disgusting human being
Iron Maiden is shit.
TheTurtlemans to the point, no bullshit
+emilio olivas : Iron Maiden is one of my favorite bands of the heavy metal genre no doubt, but THE ROLLING STONES ARE THE BEST ROCK & ROLL BAND OF ALL TIME. Just my opinion, but one I feel is well warranted.
Predictablethony reviewtano
Nah jk it was a fine review
+Giant Squid Squids are nice.
+Giant Squid Was still fairly predictable, though.
+Giant Squid To be fair, the record was predictable as well.
R0DisG0D Empire of the Clouds certainly wasn't IMO, though the rest was pretty predictable, yeah. Doesn't mean it was bad though, right?
It's now one of my favorite Iron Maiden albums. Disc 1 is definitely the better of the two with The Red and The Black being the highlight of the album. Empire of the Clouds was a nice change from their usual sound and I liked that they came out with their two longest songs ever in this album. I also loved to hear synthesizers on this album.
A 6?! This album is one of their best since their heyday
This album is really good but not better than Brave new world and A matter of life and death those 2 are my favorites since being a 6 piece band.
No. No it's not.
@@eminemfan50098 It's better than NPFTD, FOTD, TXF, VXII, BNW, DOD, and TFF.
NPFTD came out in 1990, it was the first album after their golden age, and since then, the only album that has been better than TBOS is 2006's AMOLAD.
So yeah, this comment is pretty much correct.
@@gerrypiazza6577 I liked BNW, but finding out about the blatant plagiarism that IM did from Beckett's "Life Shadow" in "The Nomad" is a huge factor as to why it fell considerably in my list.
Who knows where else they have committed such atrocious plagiarism.
@@gerrypiazza6577 maiden are shit FULL STOP. .
I respect your reviews, I've never been a Maiden fan myself but I think your being unfair imo. I really like and enjoy this album, let's face it Maiden are not going to become Deafheaven like and I wouldn't want them to either, they do what they do, and this is a very good album....a 8/10 for me.
The piano was not wasted on Empire Of The Clouds. All 18 minutes were well done
There's a really good 50 minute album somewhere within this 90 minute double LP.
Standout tracks for me are Speed of Light and Death or Glory. They're the two that sounds the most like classic Maiden.
That horrible "minimalist" album cover makes me want to puke. Why is making everything boring and shit trendy right now.
+Glider4 YOU BOUGHT METALLICA'S BLACK ALBUM (if you are metal fan) .... then ?
"FAV TRACKS: SPEED OF LIGHT, THE GREAT UNKNOWN, WHEN THE RIVER RUNS DEEP
LEAST FAV TRACK: THE RED AND THE BLACK"
HAHAHAHAH.. outta here son.. you're high...
You should review Repentless by Slayer when it comes out (in two days): :)
+Meh Heard today, it's ok, pretty heavy, but not very diverse, still, a solid 6/10
+Duarte Miguel new slayer was shit, mate, not only shit but cringeworthy
+Meh That's coming out in two days? AW SHIT, SON!
Oh common, without Dave Lombardo, one of the best and fastest most violently awesome drummers ever, without Jeff Hanneman (RIP), the main song writer and heart of slayer, I think they did a pretty decent job that deserves respect. "Implode" and "Repentless" are awesome songs...
Duarte Miguel god damn son, you picked the worst of the bunch
one of the biggest problems i had is that it just _screams_ tryhard
I think this has been one of Iron Maiden's best works so far. Top 5 easily in my opinion.
I'm really curious how so many music critics like Fantano, Daily Guru etc. love and respect Iron Maiden, but won't ever talk about power metal which is greatly influenced by Iron Maiden and, in my opinion, have released just as much fantastic material as them.
+Mickey Akerfeels
They might not like how those bands are produced so they just avoid reviewing them because they might be saying the same thing over and over.
Manic Panic That really depends from bend to bend, but fair point considering Fantano's dislike to modern prog and trash metal (at least overproduced one).
+Mickey Akerfeels I'm sorry, but is your name a parody of Mikael Akerfeldt? btw, power metal as much as it may be awesome and all, is mostly generic and without much artistic value (like pop). only difference being these guys are metal and they play their instruments but their songs are 99% of the time very cliche and albums sound like 3 singles and the rest is filler
StrangerPage
Well said
StrangerPage Well, that argument is so vague it could apply on practically every semi popular subpar bend that's been singed to major labels like Nuclear blast and Napalm records.
And hue hue scontent-vie1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11215740_836198636461174_2439266416057969973_n.jpg?oh=7977bf37e7ae04f52d8e158c35ecf091&oe=566C2A78
It was very bloated. Most of it was boring. The Final Frontier was a better album.
While I don't agree with It being a bad album, I'm happy to see someone not bashing The Final Frontier
Agree, TFF wasn't without a few clunkers but was catchier than this album. 5/10 in my book. TBoS 4/10.
you dont like "the red and black" ??? wtf its an absolute masterpiece !!!!
I respect you, but your criticisms make no fucking sense. The album has amazing songs but is less good because it is more polished? And Synthetic? Didn't you give to pimp a butterfly a 10?
+DownFall TPAB is analog and a different genre.
Are you trying to say that this iron maiden album is better than To Pimp A Butterfly?
Tyr Fenrir
That's like comparing apples to oranges.
Manic Panic exactly
I'm not, but to say that something is not good because it has polish and synthetics is hypocritical if he likes techno and rap so much. And IMO it is better than to pimp a butterfly but I can see why you would like that album more
The first time I listened to this album I would've also rated it maybe 6/10. But the thing about these new, more progressive Maiden albums is that you have to hear the songs a few times to really appreciate and understand them. Nowadays I'd give the album a rating of 8/10. My favorite parts about the album are from the longer songs: guitar parts of TRATB, the end guitar parts of the Book of Souls, the ending licks and solos of Shadows of the Valley.
Mr Adrian Smith was truly on fire on this record!
I used to love this band so much, 2 Minutes to Midnight is one of my favorite songs for sure. Just can't get into a lot of the new stuff.
The Red and the Black is fantastic. One of the best songs I've heard all year (and one of Maiden's best IMO). The 'farty baritone guitar' at the start is actually bass :P
How can you not love the last 5 minutes with all those incredible guitar harmonies? Recalls the good old days of 7th Son
I thought Final Frontier was amazing
Only the blaze albums are the worst out of the bunch but even still some songs like clansman fucking rock
Me too
I find it very difficult to listen to double albums in one sitting, so I split them into two albums and re-sequenced the tracks. This has really helped in my enjoyment of both discs.
The Book of Souls
1. Death or Glory
2. The Red and the Black
3. When the River Runs Deep
4. The Man of Sorrows
5. Speed of Light
6. The Book of Souls
Empire of the Clouds
1. If Eternity Should Fail
2. Shadows of the Valley
3. Tears of a Clown
4. The Great Unknown
5. Empire of the Clouds
Classic Album Suggestions
John Coltrane - Giant Steps
GZA - Liquid Swords
Gorillaz - Demon Days
Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters
Nat King Cole - Night Lights
The Red and The Black is one of the better tracks. That long instrumental sounds like a jam they did in very few takes, it sounds organic and sincere.
Eddiethenotsogreat that’s because it was organic. That entire riff was done off the cuff (like jazz)
I thought every song was amazing, but I fucking love empire clouds. I give this track a solid 9
I think The final track 'Empire of the Clouds' is actually one of the best rock/metal songs I've ever heard and I'm not even into Maiden or metal all that much. The instrumentals on this track are absolutely stunning in my opinion. Not agreeing with your review at all.
I think you really need to get into this album with repeated listens, not super many radio suitable cuts here, but once you're hooked, you're hooked.
The Red And The Black is one of my favorite track of the album.
My favorite tracks: Book of Souls, Empire of the Clouds, If Eternity Should Fail, When the River Runs Deep and Speed of Light.
Least Favorite: Man of Sorrows. Red and the Black.
I still love some of the tracks from Final Fronteir… Starblind, Coming Home, Mother of Mercy. That's about it. Great review!
esteeb67 fuck yeah bro I love Starblind
Sooooo, Lulu got a 6, and now you give The Book of Souls a 6. Hmmm. I would reconsider the score of this album.
WHAT THE FUCK? Empire of the Clouds and The Red and the Black are 2 of the most amazing maiden and overall songs I've ever heard, and I'v heard a lot... and really how can you say the Bruce's vocals on The Man Of Sorrows fall short? It's one of the if not the greatest vocal performance of his career!
I really can't get you dude
'Bruce loses control of his breath control'. Fantastic Writingtano.
A crappy review to a FANTASTIC album...
Fantano you drunk! The Red And The Black kicks sooooo much ass! The latter part of the song is musicianship at its finest. This track is truly remarquable....
WRONG!!! I have been a fan of Maiden since 81. They did have great albums in the 80's, but they had even better albums later on. Dance of Death and A Matter of Life and Death are great albums. The Book of Souls is great. Way better than Final Frontier. I think you are bashing it to be different.
+00jets This guy knows what he's talking about. His reviews are superior :^)
+00jets "They did have great albums in the 80's, but they had even better albums later on."
ALOT of maiden fans would disagree with you on that statement...
Most of those are people that think bands can only release good stuff in their early days. Maiden fanatics would agree with that statement but idiot purists would disagree
Jesus Christ I didn't think id see you
The Red and the Black is a fantastic song. The only issue i have with it is the repetitiveness. It's one riff after another, each one played 100x. It doesn't need to be 13 minutes. But it is brilliant and the song i come back to most.
really 6/10?....eh I'm not sticking around
Basically a record not for the typical metal head. Over at CKN this record got 100 out of 100, the only one to get that high this year apart for "Hand. Cannot. Erase.". But of course, over at CKN there is someone with a far wider musical culture.
If Seventh Son came out today it would sound current.
idk anthony, I thought this would be the record on which they really started to show their age, and they did but in a positive way! another tick for 2015, next point of interest would be Kurt Vile (unless Kanye wants to surprise us)
not saying they're still 82 level but for guys in their late 50s this is impressive to me
+King Matty B Raps It's Thom Yorke!
The Red and the Black is actually my favorite song on the album
The Book of Souls, wow & I thought this was going to be just another IM album but gee was I wrong!
What a return to form by the mighty Maiden, talk about fine musicianship and ambition, I was blown away with all the tunes, riffs, and solos!
Bruce's vocals just as good as ever, not bad considering he was battling cancer, the roars & the lyrics scream out EPIC not to mention what a progressive minded album they have created, fucken love it!!!!
at the beginning of red and black.. its not a baritone guitar. it sounds more like a bass guitar with an octave divider ??
Favorite Maiden album since "Brave New World", this band can't make a bad album, the production as always is not perfect, the drums are always kinda low in the mix but other than that this will probably end up in my top five albums of the year.
Except for the song "The Man Of Sorrows" that I can't really bear it (and I don't appreciate it as well) the entire album is f**kin' AMAZING!!! Sure one of the TITANIC (much more than best) album they ever made in their wonderful career as well as "Seventh son" or " Piece of Mind" for example. Gorgeous in each of his sound, with 2 masterpieces: "If Eternity Should fail" written by our sacred monster Bruce Dickinson and also the colossal "Empire Of The Clouds", that reminds me the same progressive sound of Dream Theater band (if you know what I mean). It was a specific theme for a tragic event really happened to realize in a future movie: The fate of R101 Airship that fell in an accident long long time ago. Very moving as music. Lovely tribute for that dreadful tragedy. They really really did an awesome album and i f**kin' love it. UP THE IRONS ALWAYS!!! ;)
I listened to the beginning of the Red and the Black just to see what Anthony was talking about. It's just a bass and electric acoustic. I don't what he meant by "muddy".
Before the Maiden fans who came to your channel for the first time now rip you to bits, I'll try to explain that a decent 6 is a fairly good grade on theneedledrop. Interesting to see someone liked the shorter songs better, as well as appreciation for When the river runs deep, truly a fantastic song. However, I also love The Red and the black, I think Bruce's effort to follow the guitar melodies makes him sound wild and reckless, sometimes more aggressive than what fans might be used to.
I'd like to see you revisit this album in a year and do another review.
I feel that you aren't reviewing the album you have on its own merits, but instead comparing it against an assumption of Maiden's intended sound. I get where you're coming from on the additional instrumentation, but the bulk of the music isn't really all that impacted. I would have agreed with you if the album relied on the extras to achieve its sound. The extended jams consist mainly of the band and sound great (although the piano did wear out its welcome on Empire of the Clouds).
What we have is a damn good album that stands next to their late 80s output, maybe following up 7th Son soundwise. 6/10 feels a little bit harsh.
What's with the weird editing at times? I don't mind it, I'm just curious as to what the rhyme or reason behind it is (if there even is any rhyme or reason lol)
"Infamous"? Well that is a total lack of respect for a start! Maiden are arguably the most successful metal band of all time.
Interestingly, Iron Maiden are very infamous, The Number of the Beast did it, and worked for them.
I cant believe they made an entire album based in an Ab-Soul song
The guitar at the beginning of The Red And The Black probably sounds very muddy and baritone largely because it's Steve Harris' bass guitar, not one of the six-stringed variety.
Wow, Anthony's falsetto is beautiful. Brucethony Dicktano.
I didn't have a problem with the additional instruments but then again I am no expert. I'll pay attention to this when I listen to it again. I think you have a point about Dickinson racing with the guitar on Shadows of the Valley. I'm surprised you didn't mention that that same riff is too similar to the riff from Wasted Years. The slower less aggressive tracks were at least something different. Overall I enjoyed the album. If you are a fan I think you won't be disappointed unless you were expecting something as good as their 80's work.
Hey Sisthony Mantano, can I get your thoughts on Tegan and Sara's 6th LP, Sainthood. Yes, I've seen your Heartthrob review but I want to know what you like and hated about Sainthood.
7:57 Don't mind it in Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Hallowed Be Thy Name and The Trooper, though, huh?
5;35 For Maiden fans, that is very clear; This was intended. Those are depressive songs and his vocals try to reflect that.
The Wonder Years - No Closer to Heaven!!!
Could you give your thoughts on the new single "Hood" from Tablo and Joey Bad? Tablo has been a huge influence on Korean hip hop, and I would like to hear your take on the growing number of quality Asian x American hip hop collabs. As a Korean-American, I am excited by the prospect of some of my home country's musicians getting more international recognition.
I am actually OK with the score, but The Red and the Black really is one of if not the BES songs on the album.
What do you think about the new big boi and phantogram track?
how you didn't know it was the bass at the beginning of red and the black confuses me. great commentary on the crafting of the songs but that red and the black comment was just off...
Big Iron Maiden fan here. Great review, nuanced and thoughtful. Fair score!
While i do agree about Bruce's vocals in The Red and The Black sound like he's running out of breath, the solos and riffs of that song make me love that song. It's some of the best riffs they have made in a while.
This album gets an 8/10 from me. It's easily their best album since Brave New World in my opinion.
Welp the red and the black was my favorite track.
6/10 is pretty generous, for me it was more like a 4.5-5/10
Waaaay too long and convoluted
not a single song on this thing worth revisiting instead of anything off piece of mind, number of the beast, powerslave, seventh son or even brave new world and dance of death.
Only a 6? Come on Fantano. This is at least an 8 and Maidens best album since the 80s
I enjoyed this album overall, I liked the first half more than the second. One thing Il say about the 'red and the black' is the the "woahs" don't need to be there all the time, the guitar line sounded great on it's own - played live the audience would sing the woah's anyway.
Maiden just need to boot Kevin Shirley as a producer. Capturing the "live" sound on every record makes it kinda sloppy sounding and I'm certain that he's the reason all the mixing of the synth and string parts sound so flat. Adrian Smith is even known for wanting to return to the real down to the millisecond tight metronome way of recording, but I guess Steve Harris aint listening.
The beginning of The red and black is a bass, not a muddy guitar. Old-school bass players like Steve Harris and Lemmy often play chords on bass (Yes, it's possible) to give a fuller sound to the bottom end. And most of the song The red and black is happening in the lower end, while Nicko is constantly thumping the floor tom instead of tapping a hi-hat. Possibly the whole band is tuned down. All this is trying to give the song a tribal kind of sound. The only reason I can think that you'd call it 'muddy' is that your system or your copy of the album isn't acclamated to all this action at the bottom, and yet I've heard decent copies on youtube and other places that seem to sound okay, if not great. Other than that, a decent review, I think.
Hey Anthony! Why did you review The Dear Hunter when it didn't come out? 2 days before. Did you even give the record a listen. Definitely one of the most interesting crossover prog and rock opera artist out there. I think they're one the most versatile in the genre, similar to what Janelle Monae does in soul. You should give them one more chance they're not one of those generic indie prog bands that you seem to dislike. You could consider them over produced but that's rock opera. And i think it's in the best way. You could say that records like The Wall, A Night At The Opera, or Abbey Road are over produced, but that doesn't make them bad you know. I hope you can check them out. Love you man, keep doing what you do.
i personally think maiden hasnt been able to top their 2 first albums, but thats only because im not a big fan of bruce's voice, but i can acknowledge his skills as a singer.
Baritone guitar? It's Steve Harris on a Acoustic Bass. I do agree though with the extra instrumentation. They would have greatly benefited from using an actual Orchestra on the more epic tracks. Oh well. Definitely better than Final Frontier.
Infected Mushroom: Converting Vegetarians 2
I gotta agree with the score you gave. It's good, however I didn't love it. I honestly like The Final Frontier more. If I was Iron Maiden, I would've definitely gone the extra step and made the album more ambitious and grandiose. Especially since this possibly could be their last release, as well as their fist release in 5 years.
Couple albums in need of a good review:
* Ben Folds - So There
* Snarky Puppy - Sylva
I love this album but admittedly I really wish they would return to the style they had in there prime. I honestly have loved every single album they've done seance Bruce came back, and this one is no exception. But I really love that melodic, leaner line based, row type style they had in the 80's. And especially the harmonies. Granted they still do harmonies, but there just not as melodic and powerful as they used to be. There style now is more rhythmic, chord based, and for lack of a better word weaker. Not saying the songs are weak. They just don't seam to have the power they once did. A lot of these songs have way to few key and\or time changes in them for the length of the track. I mean compare any one of them to Rime Of The Ancient Mariner. Now that was a god damn epic. Just wish they would return to that style.
I mostly agree. I wasn't a fan of some of the production however, it seemed at time (especially during speed of light) that I was listening to a live album. I understand that aesthetic but I could have done without it. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I was going into the long tracks expecting Rime of the Ancient Mariner and instead i just got what seemed like poorly planned pieces of tracks. I still loved the album overall.
I love that album, it's a strong 8 to weak 9 for me
Am I the only person who didn't like speed of light?
The Red and the Black was my favorite track. i agree that the album did stretch a little long but not too bad.
I'm a die hard Maiden fan, and I think that was a pretty fair album review. Maiden isn't dumb, they know there not going to outdo there old stuff. They have more hits than almost any other band out there. When you consider the fact that they've gotten to where they are now with little to no airplay, its absolutely incredible. I don't watch award shows like the Grammys, but I don't think they've ever been nominated for any sort of award, which is complete bullshit.
On a side note....anyone else notice Steve Harris doesn't seem to age like most humans? Dudes like a friggin vampire or something.... Oh and I don't like the new Eddie. They should have had Derek do it.